Level of Significance Selection in Engineering Analysis
Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering
Volume 116, Issue 4
Abstract
In many statistical analyses for the development of engineering design models, the use of a 5% level of significance is based on tradition. Stepwise regression analysis, using the 5% level of significance, is applied to measured data from engineering systems. The results demonstrate that the commonly used 5% criterion can lead to an incorrect model under certain conditions. Specifically, models with either irrational or inaccurate regression coefficients or too many predictor variables may result. The application of the 5% criterion in stepwise regression analysis is critically assessed, and the conditions under which problems occur are identifled. An alternative decision approach, based on an analysis of the partial F statistic, is developed. This approach enables decisions in stepwise regression analysis to be made using engineering criteria rather than the arbitrarily selected 5% Using the method developed herein with measured data from engineering systems results in models judged more rational than those developed using the traditional approach.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering
Volume 116 • Issue 4 • October 1990
Pages: 375 - 387
Copyright
Copyright © 1990 ASCE.
History
Published online: Oct 1, 1990
Published in print: Oct 1990
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